Overview
What is San Jose Children's Discovery Museum?
The San Jose Children's Discovery Museum is a California-based nonprofit organization, established in 1982 and officially incorporated in 1983. Its primary mission is to cater to the educational needs of children, youth, and their families in Santa Clara County through interactive exhibits and programs. Over the past 30 years, the museum has served over 9.8 million visitors, offering a stimulating environment that encourages learning and exploration. Spanning 28,000 square feet, the museum houses 13 galleries filled with engaging exhibits that challenge children's minds, inspiring curiosity and fostering a lifelong love for learning. An adjacent nature education center, Bill's Backyard: Bridge to Nature, provides outdoor play opportunities and teaches children about water conservation. The museum's exhibits, designed for children up to 10 and their parents/caregivers, encourage hands-on exploration and learning across various disciplines, including art, science, and the humanities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum made facility improvements to enhance air filtration, install touchless plumbing, and renovate the amphitheater. With a focus on safety, the museum reopened its interior exhibits and programming, providing a safe and engaging environment for families as they returned to public activities.
Official website here: www.cdm.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 100%, Four-Star out of Four Star rating
The San Jose Children's Discovery Museum has received a commendable Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong performance in multiple operational areas. The high score indicates robust accountability and financial practices, with a perfect score of 100% in both Accountability & Finance and Culture & Community. This suggests that the organization is well-managed, maintains transparency, and effectively engages with its community.
Strengths of the museum include a fully independent board and strong oversight mechanisms, highlighted by the absence of material diversions of assets and thorough documentation practices. The organization excels in its financial health, as evidenced by a low liabilities-to-assets ratio of 4.51% and a significant program expense ratio of 75.77%, ensuring that a substantial portion of its resources is directed toward its mission-driven programs.
While the Leadership & Adaptability score is lower at 10%, the other scores suggest that the museum is operating effectively within its community and maintaining high standards of governance. Continuous feedback collection and usage demonstrate a commitment to improvement, although the lower rating in leadership may indicate potential areas for growth in strategic direction or leadership development. Overall, the museum stands out as a well-regarded nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of children through exploration and discovery.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is San Jose Children's Discovery Museum legitimate?
San Jose Children's Discovery Museum is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. San Jose Children's Discovery Museum submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $468,835
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,682,195
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.cdm.org
What is the mission statement of San Jose Children's Discovery Museum?
The San Jose Children's Discovery Museum's mission is centered around inspiring creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning in children. By offering participatory exhibits and programs, the museum aims to engage children's senses and challenge their minds, fostering a love for learning through hands-on interactions. The museum serves a wide age range, from toddlers to young adults, ensuring a stimulating environment for all. It also focuses on outdoor play and environmental stewardship, encouraging children to discover nature and develop a respect for the environment. The museum's exhibits are highly interactive and tactile, promoting exploration across disciplines such as art, science, and the humanities. With COVID-19 precautions, the museum has adapted its operations to provide a safe and engaging environment for families returning to public activities.
Official website here: www.cdm.org
Who is the CEO of San Jose Children's Discovery Museum?
Marilee Jennings is the Chair of San Jose Children's Discovery Museum.
Official website here: www.cdm.org
What is the revenue of San Jose Children's Discovery Museum?
San Jose Children's Discovery Museum's revenue in 2022 was $6,150,873.
Official website here: www.cdm.org
Who are the executives of San Jose Children's Discovery Museum and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at San Jose Children's Discovery Museum during 2022 was $40,585. There are 53 employees and 269 volunteers at San Jose Children's Discovery Museum.
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Official website here: www.cdm.org
Where can I find the form 990 for San Jose Children's Discovery Museum?
San Jose Children's Discovery Museum's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.cdm.org
Learn more at the official website: www.cdm.org
Mission Statement of San Jose Children's Discovery Museum
The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, often referred to as CDM, is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning. Established in 1982, the museum has been serving the educational needs of children, youth, and their families in Santa Clara County through interactive exhibits and programs that engage the senses and challenge the mind. With over 30 years of operation, the museum has attracted over 9.8 million visitors, all while striving to enhance their experience in its 28,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space and 30,000 square foot outdoor nature education center.
At the heart of its mission, the Children's Discovery Museum aims to inspire learning through concrete interactions. It houses 13 dedicated galleries, each filled with 8-10 interactive exhibits that cater to children's unique need for hands-on exploration. The museum provides a nurturing environment for children aged up to 10 and their parents or caregivers, while the Wonder Cabinet caters to the youngest visitors, acting as an early learning environment that supports cognitive, emotional, and social development. Whether children are role-playing firefighters or studying water flow, they are actively engaged in learning, sparked by their natural curiosity.
By bringing nature into children's lives, the Children's Discovery Museum hopes to inspire a lifelong love for the environment. The museum offers exhibits that encourage children to explore, discover, and appreciate the natural world around them. The majority of its exhibits are highly tactile, fostering a hands-on learning experience that transcends disciplines, integrating art, science, and the humanities. The museum has weathered challenges and adapted to the changing landscape, including a 14-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has reopened its doors to welcome families back to public activities.
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Impact
July, 2024
San Jose Children's Discovery Museum has had a significant impact on the community by inspiring creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning in children and families in Santa Clara County. Since its opening in 1990, the museum has served over 9.8 million adults and children, providing an educational space that engages the senses and challenges the mind.
Through its 28,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space and 30,000 square foot outdoor nature education center, the museum offers interactive exhibits and programs that cater to the distinct learning needs of children. From role-playing as firefighters to exploring the movement of water, children are actively engaged in learning and inspired to investigate how things work and understand more about the world around them.
The museum's efforts extend beyond its physical space, with initiatives like the Zoom Zone at the Mineta San Jose International Airport providing new educational and interactive play spaces for young children. Additionally, ongoing projects like the Exploration Portal, focusing on the intersection of math and nature, demonstrate the museum's commitment to continuous learning and innovation.
Overall, San Jose Children's Discovery Museum's impact can be seen in the countless families it has served, providing a safe and engaging environment for learning and exploration. Its dedication to education and community enrichment underscores its importance as a valuable resource for children and families in the San Jose area.
This information is meant to be a general summary of San Jose Children's Discovery Museum. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $107,567
- Program Service Revenue: $1,372,955
- Gross Receipts: $7,714,506
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $24,425,043
- Total Liabilities: $999,801
- Net Assets: $23,425,242
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
ADMISSIONS
Revenue
$1,371,685
TRAVELING EXHIBITS
Revenue
$670
PROGRAM FEES
Revenue
$600
Organization Details
Founding Year
1983
Phone
(408) 298-5437Principal Officer
Marilee Jennings
Main Address
180 WOZ WAY, SAN JOSE, CA, 95110
Website
www.cdm.orgNTEE Category
Code: A520 - Arts
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